6.3 million people don't have clean water.
6.3 million people don't have clean water.
That's one in every three people.
Over 11 million people don't have a decent toilet.
Over 11 million people don't have a decent toilet.
More than half the entire population of Zambia.
Almost 2,000 children under 5 die a year.
Almost 2,000 children under 5 die a year.
Caused by dirty water and poor toilets.
For this reason, a large part of our work in Zambia is on citizen action, improving the connections between people and their local governments.
We help the Government respond to these voices with low-cost solutions that will also last into the future. We can then reproduce these small-scale systems elsewhere, scaling them up where possible.
By working together in this way, we can reach everyone in Zambia with the clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene they deserve.
The Pupil Pipeline
No child should ever have to drink water from the same place as wild animals. But until recently, this is what 800 pupils at Simango School in Zambia had to do.
For more than 40 years, pupils at the school got water from scoop holes on the dry and sandy riverbed of a nearby stream – a popular watering hole for local animals.
Thanks to the amazing UK schools who raised funds for our Pupil Pipeline project, together we have built a network of piped water points and a toilet block for the whole of Simango School.
Abigail, in Grade 9, explains the effect the new water system will have: "We will no longer suffer stomach pains. I am very happy."
Floridah, 14, says: "Now we have water, we will keep our classrooms and surroundings clean."
“Thank you for this water,” says Xavier Mwiinga, the Headteacher. "We will always remember your gesture of good will.”
Sunshine on a Rainy Day
At her school in Lubunda, Claudia is a keen member of a club which helps teach younger girls how to deal with their periods safely. She's also an incredible singer – check out her version of a classic pop song for proof!
